Japanese river otter classified as extinct

Jiji Press

Japanese river otters, which were registered as one of the nation’s special natural treasures, have been designated as extinct following the Environment Ministry’s revision of its Red List of endangered species excluding fish.

The otter is the first Japanese mammal to be classified as an extinct species that was confirmed alive during the Showa era (1926-1989).

The last sighting in Japan of a Japanese river otter was in Kochi Prefecture in 1979.

The ministry therefore concluded the species was extinct and changed its endangered species status Tuesday.

(Aug. 30, 2012)

Endangered ibises seen guarding eggs on Sado Island

JAPAN TIMES

Kyodo

NIIGATA — Two pairs of crested ibises released into the wild last year on Sado Island in Niigata have been spotted guarding eggs, the Environment Ministry said Sunday.

The eggs could hatch in mid-April, which would result in the birth of the nation’s first wild ibis chicks in 36 years, the ministry said.

The ministry believes that a 3-year-old female released with a 3-year-old male last September nested on March 12, and that the eggs were laid on Friday or Saturday.

It also said that another pair — a 3-year-old male and a 2-year-old female that were freed last March — nested Friday and probably produced eggs as well.

“We’re glad both pairs are now guarding eggs and hope that things will go well with the other ibises as well,” said Kei Osada, the chief ranger in charge of wildlife protection on the island.

Another 12 pairs of ibises have been found together on Sado.

Japan’s last wild indigenous crested ibis died in 2003. Japan has been trying to repopulate the species via artificial breeding techniques conducted with a pair of ibises presented as a gift from China in 1999.

Two pairs released through the government program laid eggs in 2010 and 2011. But they failed to hatch because they were either thrown out of the nests or neglected by the birds.

Blue coral of Okinawa joins threatened list

THE YOIMURI SHIMBUN

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has expanded its Red List of Threatened Species to include blue coral, which is found in the waters off Okinawa Prefecture, the IUCN said last week.

The IUCN, comprising governments and environmental conservation groups around the world, released the new study at a recent general meeting held in Barcelona.

Last year, a large community of blue coral covering an area of about 1,000 square meters was found in Oura Bay in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture. The coral is about four kilometers from the planned relocation site for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station.

Another community of blue coral exists off the coast of Ishigakijima island.

In total, 309 animals and plants existing in Japan are included on the latest Red List.

According to the IUCN, nearly a quarter of mammals are at risk of extinction worldwide. The organization assessed the predicaments of 5,487 mammals confirmed to exist since 1500, and concluded that at least 76 of them are now extinct. Another 1,141 mammals are included on the Red List as endangered species.

The IUCN assesses the level of danger faced by wildlife periodically. The study into the danger levels of mammals is the first since 1996 and the first to encompass marine mammals.

Out of a total of 44,838 animals and plants recognized by the IUCN, the organization included 16,928 on its Red List of endangered species.